Summer School

We have had quite a few absurdly hot and crazy rainy days this summer. And this year, since we opted to go the summer without camp for the kids, we have had to step up the indoor entertainment. With hours to mull around paintings on the porch, I really wanted to jump start that creative spark that is kind of overlooked during the school year- for that our art collection is growing.

Favorite resources include these hits from our library:

Ed Emberley's Make a World -  All About Drawing from Micheal's - Art Lab for Kids - Sewing School

And some really cool lists and ideas for creative projects for kids:


The Artful Parent Kids' Arts and Crafts
Poppytalk Summer Crafts for Kids
Elsie Marley's Summer Journal

Works of Art

At the beginning of the school year I signed up to give Phia's kindergarten class a little presentation on Andy Warhol with one of the other mothers. If the focus is on pop art, you have subject matter that is definitely fun and appealing for little art enthusiasts. Celebrities, canned food, and a mouse in bright colors- how could you go wrong with that?
After the presentation the kids had the chance to make some personalized pop art. I did a little tinkering with their class photo, and came out with some high contrast black and white portraits for them to color in to their liking. As predicted, they loved coloring in their own faces- almost all of them had a little lipstick, glasses, and mustaches. My favorite: lightning bolt scar
This is Phia's mulligan- I asked her to color this one in at home for framing purposes. While there are some other really neat tutorials ( 1,2) on how to make Warhol-esque portraits, I took the easy way out- I cropped the face, erased the background, increased the brightness and contrast, played with the curves, and then changed the picture to black and white.

Love is in the Air

After more procrastination than I would like to admit to, I finally got my yudu up and running just in time to make some Valentine's day inspired prints.
I feel like any prior dawdling has been equalized since I knocked out some gifts for teachers and friends for the upcoming holiday in such non-last minute fashion. So unlike me, I know.

I am kind of into the fun yet polished take on Valentine's day kitsch, and have a couple in my shop if you are too.

Fake Snow

The winter decorations are making their way up around our place.
After learning this very handy technique, Phia and I started a little production line of snow flakes and paper chains made out of old school handouts and scraps. I love the way the snowflakes turn out- and once you get the hang of it they are pretty easy to put together.
I couldn't resist snipping up doilies to add into the mix, and when I started stringing everything up it got a little reminiscent of my favorite scene in the movie Elf.

Dirty Expectations

Looking back, I am not really sure why I never made my children bibs. I suppose I didn't sew as much as I do now, and at that point it was hard to find a chance when taking care of two babies.

But, bibs are so rewarding; such simple, cute, and functional little projects.

it's a different world

nobody wants little children exposed to potentially toxic chemicals, or have to toss out two garbage bags full of toys. on the other end of it, no one wants to see artisans and crafts people, who uphold high standards and sell quality products, fall through the cracks due to a poorly written law.

for that, i am glad that the whole cpsia drama is being worked through, and the etsy community has done an amazing job of organizing artists and getting people involved. i just love it when people work together for a good cause!

here is a little glimpse of some of the quilts that i am in the process of finishing and binding. expect a lot of things for boys, and check out the loaf of wonder bread on the camping table. i am still crazy about that heather ross print.

holiday card production and loving my clone

while i was away danny said that phia adjusted pretty well. only a couple dramatic episodes, one of which was triggered when she found my pin cushion. i guess it reminded her of dear old mom, and maybe she was upset at the thought of me being away with my pins scattered everywhere, with no place to put them. 

since we were reunited, we have had some very sweet moments. as i have told people, she is, in all aspects, a little miniature version of me. 

reason number one: she can play around with buttons for a ridiculously long amount of time if given the opportunity. 

we did up some snowflake cards for the family and she lovingly decided where each button would be glued on. the little buttons were all named either baby ori or baby mikey, and were by far her favorite to use.